Rosberg Ranks Verstappen Above Senna, Fangio After Italian GP Dominance

Why it matters:

Max Verstappen's dominant lights-to-flag victory at the Italian Grand Prix has led former F1 champion Nico Rosberg to place him among the sport's all-time greats, surpassing legends like Ayrton Senna and Juan Manuel Fangio. Rosberg's assessment highlights a new dimension to Verstappen's prowess: his strategic intelligence in car setup.

The big picture:

Red Bull and Verstappen arrived at Monza following a challenging P2 at Zandvoort, and initial practice sessions suggested McLaren and Ferrari might challenge for the win. McLaren had been on a five-race winning streak, and Ferrari showed strong pace in FP1. However, Verstappen's audacious setup change in final practice allowed him to close the gap and secure pole position.

The details:

• Race Dominance: Verstappen demonstrated blistering pace during the race, consistently setting fastest laps and extending his lead over Lando Norris to five seconds before his pit stop.
• Rosberg's Ranking: On Sky Sports' The F1 Show podcast, Nico Rosberg stated his top five drivers of all time: Hamilton, Verstappen, Senna, Fangio, and Schumacher. He specifically noted Verstappen's performance at Monza as elevating him above Senna, Fangio, and Schumacher, though still behind Lewis Hamilton.
• New Facet Revealed: Rosberg highlighted Verstappen's strategic input into the car's setup for the Italian GP. Despite Red Bull's data suggesting more rear downforce, Verstappen insisted on removing more wing, a decision that proved crucial for his pole position and race win.
• Engineer vs. Driver: Verstappen reportedly had to fight for his preferred setup against engineers who rely on simulations. His determination to push his view ultimately prevailed, allowing him to unlock "magic" pace.

What's next:

Verstappen's ability to not only drive but also profoundly influence car setup adds another formidable layer to his skill set, posing an even greater challenge to his rivals as the season progresses and in future championships. This strategic depth could further cement his legacy in F1 history.